ABB has signed a contract with Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd., Peoples Republic of China to supply the electric power plants and Compact Azipod propulsion systems for a survey vessel for the State Oceanic Administration. The vessel will start operation in South China in 2005.

The ABB deliveries to the survey vessel will include power generation, distribution and two PWM DTC-controlled Compact Azipod units rated at 1,860 kW each.

The top cruising speed of the vessels is in excess of 18 knots.

ABB says key issues in winning this contract were propulsion performance and system low life-cycle costs, as the efficiency of the total diesel-electric propulsion is high and maintenance costs are low.

This will be the first State Oceanic Administration vessel with Integrated Electric Propulsion, Azipod propulsors and DP function. The ship is designed by Marine Design & Research Institute of China in Shanghai and will be the first Azipod vessel detailed and designed in China.

The total operating experience with Azipod systems passed the 850,000-hour milestone in September 2003.

The Compact Azipod propulsion system, with a power range from 400 kW up to 4.5 MW, is designed to meet the constantly growing demand for enhanced maneuverability and operational economy in the smaller vessel sector.

The Compact Azipod is a podded propulsion system, providing unlimited (n x 360 deg )steering angles. It incorporates a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a fixed-pitch propeller that is directly mounted on the motor shaft. Accurate speed and torque control are provided by a frequency converter. The concept allows full thrust in all directions.